Policemen stand guard as security has been beefed up at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan home since yesterday morning. Photo: Star

Law enforcers yesterday detained former BNP lawmaker Sarder Sakhawat Hossain Bakul and dozens of opposition leaders and activists from different parts of the capital ahead of the opposition's Dhaka March programme.
Detectives detained Bakul when he was entering BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence around 5:00pm. He was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as he fell sick.
Additional security measures were in place around Khaleda's residence yesterday.BNP sources alleged that law enforcers also picked up BNP MP Shammi Akhter, BNP leader Aminul Islam, and Tabid Awal Mintoo, son of BNP chief's adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo, at Khaleda's Gulshan office last night.
The Daily Star could not confirm their detention by law enforcers.  
Meanwhile, detectives released BNP standing committee member RA Ghani last night after detaining him when he was going into Khaleda's office.
The 82-year-old leader was dropped off near his Dhanmondi home, his relative Rabbir Ahmed Shuvo told The Daily Star.
Rab personnel and police took position around Khaleda's residence yesterday morning, a day after Khaleda announced the programme “march for democracy” towards Dhaka.

Detective Branch of police arrest BNP leader Shakhawat Hossain at Khaleda's Gulshan office last night and take him away on a microbus. Photo: Star

In a press conference, Khaleda had called upon people from all walks of life to march towards the capital carrying the national flag and gather at the party headquarters in Nayapaltan to resist the government's move to hold a “one-sided and farcical” election on January 5.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have detained dozens of opposition leaders and activists from different parts of the city.
Kalabagan police detained at least 64 opposition activists raiding several messes and houses at the city's Hatirpool area early yesterday, locals said.
Mohammad Iqbal, officer-in-charge of Kalabagan Police Station, said they were detained on specific allegations of torching and vandalising vehicles during hartals and blockades.
Gulshan police said they detained seven people yesterday.